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Former Oklahoma State outfielder Corey Brown finds himself on the outside looking in for Major League Baseball's Opening Day

A first-round pick seven years ago, Brown is a reminder that the 750 spots on Opening Day rosters represent how few players actually live out their dreams of playing Major League Baseball.

By Mike Baldwin, Staff Writer •
Published: March 29, 2014

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Three days before Boston’s season opener, former Oklahoma State outfielder Corey Brown started in right field for the Red Sox in a spring training game Friday afternoon against the Twins. The bad news is he was informed earlier in the day that he’ll start the season at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Boston Red Sox Corey Brown is greeted in the dugout after scoring on a two-run RBI double by Dustin Pedroia in the fifth inning of an exhibition baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers, Fla., Thursday, March 13, 2014. The Red Sox won 4-3. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A first-round pick seven years ago, Brown is a reminder that the 750 spots on Opening Day rosters represent how few players actually live out their dreams of playing Major League Baseball.

“It’s definitely tough,” Brown said in a phone interview with The Oklahoman. “I don’t think anyone easily accepts staying in Triple-A. Every year I come to spring training trying to show these teams what I’m capable of.”

Brown, who was a supplemental first-round pick of the Oakland Athletics with the 59th overall selection in 2007, has compiled solid stats throughout his pro career. He’s even had a cup of coffee in the majors. Three times. But at age 28, the native of Tampa, Fla., is no longer a prospect.

Throughout spring training, manager John Farrell and others in the Red Sox organization complimented Brown on his ability to play all three outfield positions.

“This is a guy that’s got very good tools,” Farrell told reporters during camp. “We’re getting to know him. We’ve tried to get him on the field to get a good look. When you look at our overall depth, once you get past Jackie (Bradley), and the unknown of Grady (Sizemore), this is why we pursued him.”

This time, Brown’s unlucky break was Sizemore, a former All-Star, finally showing in spring training the past month that he might finally be healthy for the first time in four years.

“I was insurance for Grady Sizemore,” Brown said. “He ended up having a great spring and looks good. It’s about being in the right place at the right time. You never wish injury upon anybody. I just try to impress the scouts and teams watching me.”

Brown has 40 career major league at-bats during September call-ups in the last three seasons with the Washington Nationals.

In the minors, he’s put up stats worthy of an extended tryout but now faces a disadvantage, because a team would have to invest one of their 40-man roster spots to put him on a major league roster.

“You try not to get too overwhelmed with it because it’s everyone’s dream to play in the bigs,” Brown said. “I feel I can compete at that level. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out that way where my window ever opened up.

“I also put pressure on myself after I was traded to Washington.”

It appeared he caught the break he was looking for when the Nationals acquired him in a trade following the 2010 season. His chance to make an impression was hampered by a high ankle sprain during training camp.

“That probably was my best chance because back then the Nationals were struggling,” Brown said. “Two years ago I was healthy. I had my best season (in Triple-A) but they had (Bryce) Harper, (Denard) Span and (Jayson) Werth.”